Samurai Philosophy in Practice: The Zen Samurai Retreat Returns to Broughton Sanctuary in Yorkshire (18-21 June 2026)
Photo credits L-R: Broughton Sanctuary; Mark Oulson-Jenkins
With the British Museum’s recent Samurai exhibition shining a light on Japan’s heritage and philosophy, Broughton Sanctuary in the Yorkshire Dales is bringing back the Zen Samurai Retreat across two dates this year, offering the opportunity to experience samurai principles in practice.
Guided by 16th-generation samurai Sensei Zen Takai, the four-day immersive retreat draws on Bushidō philosophy (‘the way of the warrior’), combining Zen meditation, sword arts, calligraphy and mindful movement in nature. Through structured daily practice, participants explore discipline, clarity and self-mastery in a contemporary setting. While samurai are often associated with combat, their tradition also emphasised integrity and mental resilience, shaped by Zen practice and reflected in how samurai lived as much as how they fought – an approach often described as a form of “moving meditation.”
Photo credits L-R: Isabella Mariana; Mark Oulson-Jenkins
Set within Broughton Sanctuary’s 1,030 hectares of woodland, rivers and wild landscape, the retreat brings Japanese tradition into a British setting, exploring how samurai philosophy can be applied to modern life.
Sensei Zen Takai is available to speak about the Samurai Way more broadly, including the role of nature in samurai practice and why the landscape of Broughton provides a fitting environment for this type of training.
Zen Samurai Retreat at Broughton Sanctuary dates:
18-21 June 2026
12-15 November 2026
Price: From £3,675 including food, board, training and equipment
The Zen Samurai Retreat is part of Broughton Sanctuary’s wider 2026 retreat series at their onsite wellbeing centre Avalon Wellbeing, a programme of experiences designed to explore united health through philosophy, contemplative practice and connection to place, with other facilitators including Elena Brower, Mark Vernon, Dr. Sharon Blackie and Ruby Wax.
For full details of upcoming retreats at Broughton Sanctuary, visit www.broughtonsanctuary.co.uk
Photo credits L-R: Mark Oulson-Jenkins; Broughton Sanctuary
NOTES TO EDITORS
About Broughton Sanctuary & Avalon Wellbeing
Located in the Yorkshire Dales, Broughton Sanctuary is the only accredited Healing Hotel in the United Kingdom. The accolade recognises its commitment to wild wellbeing through immersive retreats, innovative rewilding initiatives and sustainability. The Sanctuary was named one of the world’s 30 coolest places to visit in 2024 by National Geographic Traveller and commended as “one to watch” in the Rest of the World Responsible Tourism Awards.
Broughton Sanctuary offers 98 bedrooms across historic and nature-immersed accommodation, from the 16th-century Broughton Hall to off-grid Hermit Huts and Sanctuary Homes. Home to one of the UK’s leading nature recovery projects, with over 330,000 trees planted in partnership with the White Rose Forest, activities include wild swimming, woodland saunas, forest bathing, ice bathing, sweat lodges, fire ceremonies, meditation labyrinths and moon baths. Plant-based dining is served at the walled garden bistro Utopia, with bespoke catering available throughout the estate.
At the heart of the Sanctuary lies Avalon Wellbeing, conceived by owners Roger Tempest and Paris Tempest as the estate’s wellbeing hub. Featuring thermal facilities, studio spaces and specialist treatment rooms, Avalon hosts residential retreats, daily yoga and meditation, workshops and a wide range of therapeutic practices.
Together, Broughton Sanctuary and Avalon Wellbeing are recognised as one of the UK’s most progressive destinations for depth-led, future-facing wellbeing.
About Sensei Zen Takai
Sensei Zen Takai grew up surrounded by swords. Born in Fukuoka, Japan into a family comprising 16 generations of Samurais and Ninjas, selected from a special team created by Hattori Hanzo. Learning deep self studies and exploration from his father, he mastered 18 arts to become a Sensei.
Influenced by the Zen meditation, Bushido and the Shinto tradition, Sensei developed his method of mindfulness, “The Zen Samurai Way”, a moving meditation for life leadership that started in the Samurai Ninja dojo in Tokyo. He is the last of the Zen Samurai lineage. He has no children, therefore his father asked him to travel across the sea, to share this method all over the world, so that it would become his life mission.